When you're choosing decorative accents and accessories for your new home, don't forget about the exterior, because decorative accents like — shutters, mantels, moldings, door surrounds, mounting blocks and gable vents — will provide the finishing touches you need to a create a home of distinction.

I have always considered good design to be a proper mix of balance, proportion and detail. Those elements, when properly combined, are the ingredients that set the home apart from all others. When one or more are out of balance, well, that is the home that hurts your eyes to look at. Unfortunately, we see improper use in a large percentage of the homes built in today's market because of the enormous pressure to contain building cost.

Before installing your ceiling fans or chandeliers, add a ceiling medallion for a real burst of architectural detail. Surprisingly inexpensive, ceiling medallions come in a variety of styles and sizes to fit most any architectural style.